Final answer:
The base asset class in the ServiceNow database is 'alm_asset', which holds common fields for asset management and is extended by other specific asset tables.
Step-by-step explanation:
The base asset class in the ServiceNow database is alm_asset. A class in the ServiceNow database, often represented as a table, holds data for various assets within an organization. The alm_asset table forms the foundational class for asset management in ServiceNow and contains key fields that are common among all assets, including but not limited to hardware, consumables, and licensed software. This base class is extended by other tables such as alm_hardware or cmdb_ci_hardware, which cater to more specific asset categories.